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Norway and terrorism: white male rage

By Keith Suter - posted Thursday, 28 July 2011


The European era of dominating world history has drawn to a close; its daughter's (the US's) may also be ending. Now it is the turn of China and India. Meanwhile western women and blacks are now being treated as equal citizens.

A decade of anti-Islamic ranting in some of the media has given the list of traditional grievances new addition: fears of their own government, the United Nations as a "world government" (and in the Anders case, the European Union, which Norway has not yet joined), multiculturalism, immigration, and the erosion of what they see as traditional Christian values.

Brevik saw himself as a bit above some the cruder exponents of white male rage who are concerned about the "purity of the race" (such as the European neo-Nazi groups). He realized that the racial argument would not work in Norway (especially given its unfortunate World War II history of Nazi collaboration which Norwegians naturally like to forget).

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Brevik argued that the influx of Muslims should be opposed because their culture would not be accommodated within Norwegian society. Therefore he was opposed to multiculturalism (which is now also a common theme in some media commentary). Ironically some Muslims provide fuel for this argument by trying to have their own Sharia law recognised as a strand within western society's legal processes.

Whare are some implications from all of this tragedy?

First, we should avoid glib assumptions that mass murderers like Brevik are just lonely unbalanced individuals. They have a political agenda that needs to be understood.

Second, as we approach the 10th anniversary of "9/11" (September 11 2001), it is worth noting just how much we have distorted our security precautions by an obsessive focus on a comparatively small Islamicist threat (exaggerated by some parts of the media and politicians for their own purposes). There have been other threats bubbling away which have not been on our radar screen.

Third, it is yet another warning about the need to stand firm on the easy availability of guns. The minor Shooters Party in the NSW Upper House holds some of the balance of power and is apparently seeking to use its leverage on the State Government to permit gun training in schools –a move that needs to be opposed.

Finally, Norway always scores well in international surveys covering such matters as standard of living, economic stability, human rights and governance. The tragedy is a reminder than even in a socialist paradise white male rage can still be bubbling away.

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About the Author

Dr Keith Suter is a futurist, thought leader and media personality in the areas of social policy and foreign affairs. He is a prolific and well-respected writer and social commentator appearing on radio and television most weeks.

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